Yixing Jade Maiden Pool

Yixing Jade Maiden Pool

Jade Maiden Pool is located on Lotus Seed Mountain in Hufu Town, 23 kilometers southwest of Yixing City. The scenic area covers 16 hectares, with a tour route about 2,000 meters long. It is a picturesque destination characterized mainly by mountain forest wilderness and rich historical culture. The entire scenic area features deep valleys, lush forests, continuous streams, abundant vegetation, and a serene environment. The pool’s wonder, the stones’ peculiarity, the caves’ charm, the bamboo’s fragrance, and the water’s sweetness led Quan Deyu, Minister of Rites in the Tang Dynasty, to acclaim it as “the finest scenery in Yangxian, ranking first among all.” The renowned poet Guo Moruo once visited Yixing and lingered at Jade Maiden Pool for quite some time, drawing inspiration from its ancient charm and leaving behind the exclamation, “The foremost pool under heaven.”

The main sections of the scenic area tour are divided into two parts: “Jade Yang Cave Heaven” and “Emerald Pool’s Tranquil Blue.” The former excels in mountain rocks and caves, while the latter is known for its emerald waters and deep pools. “Jade Yang Cave Heaven” was formed by the weathering of surface limestone and is geologically referred to as “stone sprouts.”

Jade Maiden Pool was established in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Ming Dynasty, and is regarded as the origin of gardens in the Jiangnan region. Today, Jade Maiden Pool has become a popular tourist destination not only for its mountain forest wilderness and the cultural essence of the I Ching, which captivate visitors and make them linger, but also for its natural beauty as an ideal filming location, making it one of CCTV’s outdoor shooting bases.

Though the mountain is small, it possesses an extraordinary presence, with grotesque rocks standing tall, interconnected caves, ancient vines and creepers winding through stones and trees, and fragrant exotic flowers that captivate the senses. The landscape is diverse and unique, offering ever-changing views at every step that overwhelm the eyes. “Emerald Pool’s Tranquil Blue” is said to be named after the legendary Jade Maiden who once bathed here. The pool is flanked by stone walls on three sides, extending down into a steep abyss. With a depth of 78 meters, it never dries up in severe drought nor overflows during heavy rain. The water is crystal-clear and jade-green, pristine as if polished. Towering ancient trees surround the pool, casting dense layers of green shade. A natural stone beam lies horizontally across the top of the pool, resembling a sky bridge. The piled-up rocks form a painting-like scene, with hanging green moss and vines, and shrubs sprouting from crevices in the cliffs, all blending into the distance like misty heavens. In the peak of summer, no sunlight reaches the poolside, bringing a refreshing coolness. The Six Dynasties poet Xie Lingyun wrote in his “Ode to the Long Stream”: “The pool gathers green clarity, while the rapids toss white foam adorned with floral splendor.”